August 11, 2012

COLUMBUS â€“ It was unclear how much Gabe Myles was going to play Saturday night.

When it was all said he done, he had taken every offensive snap for Starkville High School in its 14-0 victory over the New Hope Trojans in the New Hope Jamboree Saturday night.

"I feel more comfortable because I know the offense," Myles said. "It's my offense. I feel like I'm at home."

Myles led the Yellowjackets to a score when he capped off a nine-play, 50-yard drive with a 4-yard rushing touchdown to make it 7-0.

Myles finished the game with 8-of-11 passing for 84 yards, 27 yards rushing on eight carries and a touchdown.

"(Myles) is a seasoned, veteran quarterback that can do it all," SHS head coach Jamie Mitchell said. "Run it, throw it and he can do anything we ask him to do. He is a handful for any defense."

On SHS's last drive of the night, Myles pitched to Preston Baker who walked in for the Jackets' final score.

"We did some great things," Mitchell said. "There were penalties and turnovers, and that will get you beat. I was a little surprised to see that because we hadn't put the ball on the ground in practice. (If) you take the two turnovers away, we would have been a little better than I would have hoped for."

Starkville fumbled the ball twice, but other than that the offense looked like it was ready for a late run into December.

"We did a good job when we executed," Myles said. "(If) you take away the fumbles, we are scoring every time."

Defensively, the Jackets did their part and limited the Trojans to only three first downs. Mitchell trusts his defense and is not afraid to gamble on fourth down.

"We went for on fourth and 4 from our own 40," Mitchell said. "(Our defense) is pretty salty and those guys can play with a ton of senior experience over there. We are going to rely on them big time."

Jacoby Smith and Devonte Davis each had an interception for SHS.

Linebacker David Fair saw his first action against another opponent since last season. Fair had a season-ending knee injury against Tupelo a year ago.

"(Fair) was active and around the ball a lot," Mitchell said. "It is hard to tell until you go back and watch the film. What that guy brings to us is very special. He is the leader and it's great to see him back out there running around."

The Yellowjackets picked up 10 first downs, were 4-of-6 on third down conversions and 1-of-1 on fourth down.

"This whole offense is full of play makers," Myles said. "If you get the ball in their hands, they can make plays. I compliment them. It's a good feeling."

The junior varsity Jackets were led by Caleb Wilson in their 22-0 victory. Wilson threw three touchdown passes.

Earlier in the day, Louisville beat McComb 7-6, West Point took care of Philadelphia 22-0 and Noxubee County and Columbus ended in a 0-0 tie.

Starkville is back at it on Friday night when it hosts Noxubee County 7:30 p.m.